Electricity-metering



E.'0. SCHWEITZER.

ELECTRICITY METERING.

APPLICATION FILED "n.9, 1911.

Patented June 10, i919.

EDMUND 0. SCHWEITZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICITY-METERING'.

To all whom z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDMUND O. SoHwErr- ZER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electricity-Metering, of which the followingv is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to the art of electricity metering, and more specifically to an `apparatus and'method for opening an electric circuit by the electrolytic action'of the current suppliedV to the circuit.

In my co-pending application, Serial #46,165, filed August 18, 1915, I have disclosed varrangenfients whereby a consumers work circuit is electrolytically opened after a predetermined quantity of energy has been consumed, or after the consumer has availed himself of the energy supply for a definite time. `IfVhile in my aforesaid cofpending application I have disclosed both 'of these embodiments of the invention therein disclosed and claimed, the more specific claims in said application have `been directed to the method and arrangement of parts for opening the circuit after a predetermined quantity of energyhas been consumed, whereas I propose to claim herein a method and arrangements of parts whereby the length of time the consumer has availed himself of the energy supply and not the energy consumed, is the dominating factor in determining when the work circuit shall be electrolytically opened and further consumption of energy prevented. y

Briefly, in order to accomplish the objects of the invention hereinafter claimed, I provide an electrolytic cell comprising an electrolyte container, ,which desirably constitutes Vthe cathode of the cell, an electrolyte in the container and an anode. Ifhe anode consi-sts of a metal body desirably of copper and is of comparativelv short length and of a definite mass.` In the hereinafter described embodiment of my invention this anode is exposed to the electrolyte and is clamped between the adjacent ends of a pair of alined insulating sleeves which project Specification of Letters Patent.

` Application filed April 9, 1917.

Patented June 10, 1919. Serial No. 160,727.

into the electrolyte and serve as conduits for conductor leads wherebv to connect the anode in series with the work circuit. The cathode or -electrolyte container is connected lwith one side of the work circuit in such a way that a part of the current supply is .diverted through the cell and in shunt of the load.

' When the circuit arrangement herein described is employed the value of the circuit -liowing through the shunt, including the cell, depends upon the line voltage and the resistance of the shunt and does not vary with the current flowing through the main circuit, including the load. The purpose of the shunt currentvis electrolytically to disintegrate the anode body and thereby open the work circuit after the consumer has availed himself of the energy supply for 'a certain definite time. It will be seen that if the `line voltage is maintained substantially constant the anode will be disintegrated at a substantially constant rate whenever electrical energy is being consumed in the work circuit.

These and other features of my invention will be more fully dsscribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is amore or less diagrammatic view of a circuit provided with the improvements of my present invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate an ordinary socket or receptacle and means for renderingit-incapable of receiving the usual plug with which such translating devices are ordinarily provided; and

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified arrangement `for accomplishing substantially the same end as the devices shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

Referring first to Fig. l, I have illustrated at 10-10 a pair of feeders through which current at substantially constant voltage is supplied to the work circuit presently to.

be mentioned. At l1 I have illustrated a translating device, which for the purpose of illustration, may be considered a lamp load, said translating device being connected with the feeders 10H10 through conductors 12 and 13, and a switch, a conventional form ol which is illustrated at 14.

The clectrolytic metering device comprises an electrolyte container 15, which also Aconstitutes the cathode of an electrolytic cell, the said electrolyte container having a cap 16 threaded thereon as shown. Contained within the container-cathocle-is an electrolyte 17, desirably in the form of a neutral copper sulfate solution. The cap` 1G is desir-ably provided with a capillary tube 18,

to permit the escape of lgases from the spaceV above the electrolyte 17, Without, however,

permitting any substantial leakage of the electrolyte. Threaded into the bottom of the electrolytel container, or otherwise suitably supported lthereby,vis an; .insulating sleeve 19, the tree endno-f which terminates inthe electrolyte at a'point near the middle or the electrolyte container. Disposed in axial alineinent with the insulating sleeve 1-9 is a similar insulating sleeve 20, the upperend /of which isthreaded into .or otherwise'A suitablyy supported by the cap 16.

VIt will be noted that there s asubstantial space between the adjacent ends of the insulating sleeves1-9 and `20 and disposed in this space and securely clamped therein is a copper cylinder 21 which is exposed to the electrolyte 17 and lis cil considerable cross section-and of comparatively short length. This copper Acylinder constitutes the anode of the electrolytic cell, and is of a definite massinasinuch as it is the maSS ,ot this anode body which determines When the circuit 1n.-

cluding the load 11, shall be opened. Elec-V trically connected with the copper anode body 21 and extending through the insulating sleeves 19 and 20, are conductor leads which serve tov connect the anode body 21 in series with the translating device 11 and conductor 18 as a conducting part of one side of the work circuit fed trom the feeders 10-10. The leads whereby the anode body 21 is connected' inV circuit as just` explained are conveniently provided' by sweatf ing acopper Wire 22 in lthe cylinder 21 as The insulating sleeves 19 and 20 contain .a material such as paralu which is illustrated at 23-2-3 and surroundsthe conductor leads whichI are disposed in the insulating tubes 19 and 2,0. Although I have specifically mentioned paraiiinv itis understood that any insulating' material havingl a comparatiyelylow melting point may `serve the purposefor which this material is provided.

Disposed between the anode bodyl 21' Vandthe adjacent end of eaclr of the insulating sleeves 19f and 20' are three disks arranged to prevent the electrolyte solution from entering either of said insulating sleeves- The central one of the three disks is in each instance indicated by the reference numeral 24 and is formed -of fiber, hard rubber or some other electrolyte cathode and conductor 26 to conductor 12-in shunt .of the load.

As has previously been explained, the

anode body 21 constitutes in effect a conducting part of one side ofthe Work circuit.

conductor 26 connects the copper electrolyte VcontainerA or cathode 15 With the other side of said Work circuit whereby a part ofthe `current supplied to the Work circuit 1sV dithe the The value yof ,the current `permitted to flow through the shunt, including the cell, is determined byan impedance in the kform of a non-inductive resistance 2,7,V assuming the voltage to be substantially constant. I will statel that in operating With direct current at 114 volts I have found that the impedance 27. should desirably have a resistance of between 21,000 and 42,000 ohms. The figures given: are purely representative and` I have merely mentioned 42,000 ohms as the maxi# mum resistance because a shunt resistance substantially greater than 42,000 oli-ins would verted from the anode 21 and through necessitate an. extremely small anode and an extremely small Clearance between the anode and cathode, requiring extremely accurate measurements:which might be prohibitive.

Iny operation Whenever electrical energy is being consumed inthe Work circuit a small current of constant value is causedto flow from the anode body 21 through the cell to the cathode and through theconductor 26 in shunt .of theI load; This slight flow of current servesgraduallyto dissolve or disintegrate the` anode body 21 by electrolytic action. InasmuchT as the electrolytic dissolution or ldisintegration of the anode body is accomplished atja substantially constant rate when current is being consumed in the Work circuit it Will. be seen that 'afterthe Work circuit has been in use for a fcertainpredeterijnined timey the anode body- :Will be entirely tdissolved andthe Work circuit opened. I Ahave round that when the cross section of the: anode cylinder 21 becomesvery small they slender Wire or thread remaining breaks. I have foundV that Yalter this break occurs the current continues to flow between the broken ends by electrolytic conduction and from time to time the deposit Willvbridge the ends for a moment and then break away causing the la1npin case the load v is in the form ot al lamp, to flicker distinctly.' When this l'licker occurs the consumer is notified ing of the separatedends tends toI melt the .1 g Y parafiin :surroundingithe same lWhereupon the parafiin flows over the ends of the separated conductors and effectually stops further current How.

It -will be Vobserved that when the arrangement just described is employed the current which serves electrolytically to decompose the anode does not vary directly with the current supplied to the translating device, the value of the current diverted through the cell being determinedby the shunt resistance and the volta-ge and being thereby constant when the voltage is constant. It will thus be seen that when my present invention is employed the work circuit will be opened and further consumption of energy prevented after the consumer has availed himself of the energy supply for a certain definite time and not necessarily after any definite supply of electrical energy has been consumed.

It may be noted however, that the arrangement just described will serve to open the work circuit after a definite quantity of energy has been consumed if the load as well as the voltage is maintained substantially constant. Thus, when the circuit arrangement of Fig. l is employed it is sometimes desirable that the consumers outlet be so equipped that no other translating device or devi-ces other than those for whose use he has contracted can be connected in the work circuit.V In Figs. 2 to 5 I have illustrated two arrangements whereby this end may be accomplished. y

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated at 30 an ordinary socket or receptacle provided with means for adapting the socket for use only in connection with a special plug with which the translating devi-ce is provided. The means employed in this instance is an internally and externally threaded sleeve 3l provided with a suitable flange 32, arranged to be bent in over the bead 33 of the socket by means of a special tool. When the socket 30 is provided with a sleeve 3l as illustrated the socket is no longer capable of receiving an ordinary plug but will receive only the special plug 'with which the proper translating device is provided.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated at 34 an ordinary socket or receptacleprovided with a modified means for adapting it for use only in connection with a special plug with which the translating device is provided. The means employed in this instance is a disk 35 forced up into the socket 34, the said disk being provided with a central aperture 36. When this arrangement is lused the plug of the translating device is provided with a suitable stem capable of being passed through the aperture 36 of the disk 35 when the plug is threaded into the receptacle. In Fig. 5 I have illustrated the disk 35 and a translating device in the form of a lamp equipped with a stem 37 arranged to be passed` through the aperture 36 in the disk 35.

The arrangements illustrated in Figs. 9. to inclusive are merely representative and it will be understood that various arrangements of this kind may be devised to accomplish the same end.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In combination with an electric work circuit including a load, an electrolytic cell lcomprising an electrolyte, a cathode, a metal anode body immersed in the electrolyte and in contact therewith, insulated conductor leads for connecting the anode body in series with one side of said work circuit, and elec` tricity conducting means :for connecting the cathode with the othei` side of 'the work circuit for diverting a portion oi" the current supply through the cell in shunt of the load to disintegrate the anode body and open the circuit at that point.

2. In combination with anelectric work circuit, including a load, to which current is supplied at substantially constant voltage, a metal anode body forming a conducting part of one side of said work circuit, an electrolyte wherein said metal body is immersed, a cathode -in contact with the electrolyte and electricity conducting means for connecting said cathode with the other side of the work circuit for diverting a substantially constant current from said metal body through the electrolyte and in shunt of the load when current is being consumed in the work circuit.

3. In combination with an electric work circuit including a load, an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode and electrolyte, means connecting the anode in series with the load as a conducting part of the work circuit and means for diverting a part of the current supplied to said work circuit through the electrolyte and in shunt of the load electrolytically to disintegrate the anode.

4. In combination with an electric work circuit, including a load, an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, cathode and,electro lyte, means connecting the anode in series with the load as a conducting part of one side of the work circuit, means for connecting the cathode with the other work circuit, for diverting a part of the current supply through the cell in shunt of the load, and an impedance in said last mentioned means.

5. The method of' controlling the supply of electrical energy to an electric work circuit which consists in electrolytically disintegrating one of the metal conductors of said circuit at a substantially constant rate independent of current variations Whenever current is traversing the work circuit.

side of the 6. The method of limiting the Vsupply of electrical energy to a Work circuit which consists in electrolytically disintegrating 4one of the metallic conductors of said circuit at a point intermediate its ends at a substantially constant rate independent oi? current variations Whenever energy is being consumed in the Work circuit.

7. The apparatus for metering electricity supply comprising in combination with an electrolyte, a cathode, a pair of alined insulating' sleeves projecting into the electrolyte, the ends :of said sleeves, ers disposed between said anode body and said. sleeves and conductor leads extending through sleeves from said anode body.

8. The apparatus for meteringelectricity supply comprising .in combination With an electrolyte,l a cathode, a pair of alined insulating sleeves projecting into the electrolyte, a metal anode body clamped between the ends of said sleeves, a comparatively stii and a compressible Washer interposed between the anode body and the achacent end of each of said sleeves and conductor leads extending through said sleeves to said anode body.

9. The apparatus for metering electricity supply comprising in combination With an electrolyte, a cathode, a pair of alined insulating sleeves projecting into the electrolyte, a metal anode body clamped between the'ends of said sleeves, a comparatively stiff Washer clamped between the anode conipressible Washa metal ano-de body clamped between body andthe adjacent end ofeach of said sleeves, -a compress-ible Washer onv each side of each of said stiff Washers and conductor leads extending throughsaid sleeves .to the a'noclebody.. f -A l0.; The combination With an electric Worlcjcircuit including av'load, of 'can electrolytic n cell comprising an electrolyte,a cathode, :a metal anode body of predetermined,mass-immersed inthe electrolyte and in contact therewith, insulated vconductor leads for connecting the anode 'body in series with one side of said Work circuit, and electricity conducting `means for connecting the cathode -Wi-th 'thel other side lof the Work circuit for diverting a portion of the currentsupply through the cell: in shunt of the load todisintegrater the anode body and open the circ-uit at that poin 11. The combination with an electric Work circuit including a load', of lan electrolytic cellv comprising an anode of predetermined mass, a cathode, an' electrolyte, means connecting the anode. in series With thel load as a `conducting part of the Work circuit, and means forfdiverting a part of the current ysupplied `to the Wo-rlrcircuit through the electrolyte and in shunt of the load to disintegrate the-anode.

In witness Vwhereof I hereunto subscribe my-naine this-thday of April, A. 13.71917.

' EDMU-ND OL SCHVVETZER. VWitnesses: .yv Y

A. Gr. MoCA-LEB, LLMIDDLETON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained' for five cents each, by addressing the. Gommissoner of Patents, Washington, D40. 

